For their second match of the year 2026, the Eagles of Nice were up against the Pioneers of Chamonix. A match won in the final minutes by the team from Nice.
Two teams in search of points. The Eagles of Nice and the Pioneers of Chamonix experienced a tough end to the year 2025. The toughest time was for the team from Haute-Savoie, on a streak of nine consecutive defeats in the Ligue Magnus. As for the team from the Maritime Alps, playing away tonight, their last victory was on December 19 at home against the Dukes of Angers. A prestigious victory that did not spark the expected momentum, with overtime defeats in Anglet and Briançon, and also at home against Rouen and Marseille. It was time for a rebound for the Eagles against a team they had beaten in their last three encounters.
At the start of the match, the team from Nice was in place. Both teams, careful not to get into trouble, neutralized each other. While Chamonix created the biggest opportunity in the first five minutes, the Eagles carried the puck more in a very calm opening. A sterile domination. Alexis Shank stood out several times in his duel with the one he replaced in the Eagles’ goal last season, Raphaël Garnier, starting for the Pioneers.
More aggressive, the Nice team committed two fouls. On the second powerplay, they were logically punished by Isak Pantzare, who scored in the top corner after a blunder by the Eagles’ defense. Alexis Shank was completely blocked. Chamonix won the first period, somewhat to everyone’s surprise.
Once again at a numerical disadvantage after returning from the dressing rooms, the Nice team was surprised a second time after only a minute and a half of play. Once again obstructed on the pass, Alexis Shank was surprised by the shot from Santeri Koponen (2-0).
The break was made, but Nice hadn’t said their last word. Pascal Margerit’s men finally reacted two minutes later. Like a goal thief, former Pioneer Jordan Mugnier managed to push the puck into the Haute-Savoyards’ goal.
The game opened up and Alexis Shank stood out once more, certainly vexed to have conceded two goals. Chamonix won more duels and scored once more with its top scorer, Tim Wahlgren. The Eagles of Nice, reacting this evening, tried to come back again but were stopped by Raphaël Garnier, who reminded his former teammates of his capabilities.
The Eagles of Nice launch the attack
It took until the start of the third period for the Nice team to come back with their gold helmet, Jasper Larinmaa, on a recovery in the zone by Henrik Rommel (3-2). The team from the Maritime Alps did not give up and managed to bring back the intensity.
The pucks were fiercely contested, and the Pioneers were very close to extending the lead again, but Alexis Shank, with another high-class save, saved the day. Afterwards, the match became tense once more. A double foul later and an additional penalty against Nice: the Eagles were one man down for the sixth time in the match.
The situation reversed a few moments later, and the Azur team found themselves with a five-on-three advantage. Pascal Margerit called a timeout to set up a strategy. And it paid off. Nice equalized thanks to a double in the top corner by Jasper Larinmaa (3-3 at the 17th minute). Still with a powerplay advantage, the Eagles even managed to take the lead for the first time in the match, two minutes from the end, with a nice strike by Adam Nobes pushed into the goal by Nicholas Cherkowski.
The Chamonix team, struggling at the end of the match, pulled their goalkeeper and were punished one last time by the inevitable Jasper Larinmaa (3-5), who sealed an almost unexpected victory.
With this success, the Eagles of Nice consolidated their 6th place in the Ligue Magnus standings and pushed the Pioneers further down. From now on, this result will need to be confirmed next week, at the ice rink of Cergy-Pontoise. See you on Friday, January 9 at 8:30 p.m.
